Don Mattrick, the leader of Microsoft's Xbox team since 2007, is reportedly leaving the company.
All Things D reports Mattrick is close to taking the CEO position at struggling social game maker Zynga. An announcement may come as early as the end of the day.
As the public face of Xbox, Mattrick has been in charge of the division during its rise to power this console generation. It was under his leadership that the Xbox division became a profitable one for the company.
He has, unfortunately, also been the center of the storm for the controversy surrounding the Xbox One, whose mixed messaging and policy reversals have left potential buyers confused and upset.
Zynga, meanwhile, has been in a very public spiral since its IPO in late 2011. As the appetite for social games has dwindled, Zynga has been unable to successfully pivot to the mobile market. Executives (and top talent) have been abandoning ship at a steady pace and the company has had substantial layoffs.
Hiring Mattrick would be something of a coup for the company, but it would raise just as many questions. What happens to current CEO Mark Pincus? Why would Mattrick leave Microsoft right as the next generation is just beginning? And why Zynga as a destination?
Most importantly, if Mattrick has indeed left Microsoft, who will fill his shoes? Reports indicate the company was not ready for this departure and does not have someone in position to fill his role as president of the Interactive Entertainment Business. That's a crucial role with this transition taking place, as the Xbox One is Microsoft's biggest game-related launch in the past 10 years -- and likely will be its biggest for the next 10 years.
One train of thought is that Mattrick left before being forced out over his mishandling of the Xbox One’s initial messaging, but he was actually rumored to be in line for a more powerful role at the company. Earlier this month, All Things D reported Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is working on a massive restructuring of the company that would have resulted in expanded duties for Mattrick and two other senior execs. LINK
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